Didn’t Get What You Wanted for Christmas? Protest on Twitter!

‘Tis the season… to complain to the anonymous masses that you didn’t score an iPhone or iPod? Apparently it is, at least if Twitter is any indication. People have taken to posting statements along the lines of, “I don’t want to open presents because I know I didn’t get an iPhone.” Sure, we could spend our valuable time on various social media networks discussing the continual encroachment upon women’s rights, how Big Business rapes our environment on a daily basis in pursuit of profit, or heck, even the best discount designer flash sale sites. Yet, wasting your time, as well as others, with complaints about not snagging a $199 piece of technology? Kind of pathetic and annoying. Furthermore, it forces us to wonder, as we have countless times after reading some of the ridiculous things people deem acceptable to post online (Lamebook anyone?), why the hell would you let people see that?

Social media may have brought us closer, but it’s also brought out the worst attributes of our personality. In particular, we no longer have a filter for what is and what is not appropriate, hence updates dedicated to our greed. Of course you could make the argument that we don’t have to read the offending tweets or updates, but such a suggestion isn’t particularly practical. After all, are you going to shield your eyes every single time your cousin decides to compose an ode to her lack of an iPad? Probably not. Consequently, we need to emphasize the classic adage, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” In the digital age, where a record exists of all of our misdeeds, it’s not particularly wise to dedicate 140 characters to complaints regarding your lack of appropriate presents.

Do you think these Twitter users were being snarky or simply sullen? What do you think is acceptable to post on social media sites?

Your Favorite Sneakers May Have Caused Death, At Least According to Twitter

We’re used to hearing about sky high stilettos causing some serious damage, but sneakers have always been thought of as the safe choice, at least until rumors of the deadly power of Air Jordans hit Twitter. On Friday Air Jordans XI were released to the sneaker enthusiast crowd and reports rang up almost immediately on Twitter that eager shoppers were being trampled in their attempts to snag the much coveted shoe. Furthermore, a Facebook memorial page popped up to commemorate Tyreek Amir Jacobs‘ “death” at the hands of the angry horde. Yet, officials have assured us that while there were serious injuries as a result of the anxious crowds, no death resulted. So, why’s this important? Because it shows us how powerfully influential both fashion and social media can be.

Given our economic situation, with the rise of the Occupy movement and startling statistics that state that 15.1% of Americans live below the poverty line, it seems kind of jarring when we realize that people are willingly forking over$180 for a pair of tennis shoes. Moreover, these lusted after kicks have already popped up on eBay for $300 dollars.

An additional factor of interest is how news and mourning are now circulated in the public sphere. Twitter has allowed mere peons to post news and said news has rapidly spread. Yet, despite the fact that this may appeal to those laboring under the belief that a truly free society must allow all of its citizens to contribute to the dissemination of information, we run into a serious problem: the news is often not verified as it would be by more traditional institutions. Furthermore, the ease in which anyone can set up a page in remembrance of the loss of someone indicates that loss, or faux loss in this case, is no longer an insular community event. Perhaps this connects us on a global scale previously unimagined, but it seems that social media, despite it’s many advances and contributions to culture, has resulted in the masses screaming at the top of their collective lungs for more and more attention, but no one else is listening because they’re screaming as well.

What do you think the Air Jordans’ “death” says about fashion? How do you think social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, contribute to our news intake?

Twitter Stalking is Free Speech Rules Judge

Twitter attracts a certain sort of self-obsessed person. After all, most sane people realize that their daily musings on Greek yogurt and shopping plans don’t warrant publication for the masses to “enjoy”. However, Twitter also apparently attracts the crazies as one recent case demonstrates. A man was recently faced with the prospect of jail time due to his rather zealous Twitter usage. Specifically, William Lawrence Cassidy bombarded Alyce Zeoli with over 8,000 Twitter messages wishing for her death. Furthermore, he did so from a variety of Twitter and blog accounts, thus prompting Zeoli and her attorney to file stalking charges underneath the Violence Against Women Act. Yet, a judge dismissed the suit because he declared that Cassidy’s messages, while distasteful and excessive, did not threaten Zeoli and consequently, are protected by the First Amendment.

The judge presiding over the case ruled that Cassidy’s rantings were mean and in poor taste, but did not directly threaten Zeoli. Furthermore, the judge likened Twitter and blogs to billboards because none of these platforms have to be viewed, whereas more traditional modes of harassment, such as letters addressed to the target are meant to be read and cause emotional distress.

Do you think Twitter and blogs should be protected under the First Amendment? Why or why not?

Which GOP Candidate Has Positive Twitter Buzz?

Between the Herman Cain sex scandal, Rick Perry’s utterly ridiculous and false ads, and the big ol’ crazy train that is the Bachman campaign it may have slipped your mind that these politicians are vying for the American presidency. Furthermore, the relatively recent introduction of social media means that many of these Baby Boomers still haven’t quite got the hang of Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube (we’re looking at you Newt Gingrich). Well, except for GOP hopeful Ron Paul who managed to elicit positive remarks from 55% of his Twitter followers. Conversely, a mere 15% had negative things to say about the Libertarian from Texas. Just in case you suspect that this is the norm let us clarify: politicians don’t exactly inspire good feelings on any social media channel. 

Furthermore, as you may have suspected, blogs and social media tend to reject the more balanced views of traditional media. This means that candidates are far more likely to experience overwhelmingly biting criticism via these channels. Why? Because the relative equal playing field of online media means that you, an aspiring journalist, or that guy who wears a tin foil hat and listens to 2Gether exclusively on his CD player can all create blogs, post opinions, and oh yeah, go on Twitter and influence what’s trending.

Of course we aren’t going to suggest that Twitter will predict the presidency, but it does raise the following question: how will social media impact the 2012 election and what will social media do in the future?

The New Look of Twitter

Twitter released a major re-design and people are buzzing about it. It is more streamlined, organized and pages can be easily viewed. The goal of then new design is to resolve issues around concepts like the hashtag or the ‘at’ symbol.

One of the biggest changes are the brand pages. Companies that now have brand pages on Twitter include, American Express, BestBuy, Bing, Chevrolet, Dell, Pepsi, Staples, Verizon Wireless, McDonalds, JetBlue, and many more! There is a banner just below the profile information with the ability to pin a tweet at the top of each brand’s stream. This will be more improved as 2012 rolls around. Videos and images can also be seen inline within your stream and this creates a more visually engaging element on twitter.

The new look of Twitter is refreshing and so much more organized now. Everything is easy to find and every profile is well presented. Twitter is soon becoming more engaging as they are growing. Who knows what twitter will be like in the next 5 years.

Do you like the new twitter?

Want to Save Puppies? Use Social Media.

Everyone loves puppies. In fact, if you want to identify who the potential psychopath is in a slasher film go ahead and look at his or her treatment of man’s best friend. You may quickly discover that in addition to wielding machetes over lusty co-eds, the killer doesn’t have a canine companion and you know what that means? They are cra-zay. Okay, so we’ve established that normal people love puppies and yes, even dogs, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t suffering from dog overpopulation. What gives? People insist on going to a breeder, plopping down hundreds of dollars to snag a pup with a genetic predisposition towards hip dysplasia or ocular issues, instead of finding a fur ball to love at their local shelter. But, Best Friends Animal Society has decided that they’re going to save some of the 3-4 million animals killed each year and they’re doing it through social media.

Best Friends Animal Society is utilizing a wide variety of strategies to save precious pooches with their Invisible Dog Campaign and their first one is stunningly simple: hashtags. Yes, the same method that can be used to catalogue “guesstheramennoodlesflavors” can also spark social change. Appending #InvisibleDogs to every tweet related to the organization, as well as adoption events and media, means that interested persons can easily follow the conversation.

In addition, Best Friends is asking you to step up and take action, albeit it’s not exactly a challenging task- pledge to make a donation. Sure, you’re probably wondering why they aren’t asking the masses to adopt their own furry pal, but let’s face it: signing up to love a four-legged friend is a big commitment and Best Friends’ method relies on the old foot-in-the-door tactic. Specifically, get people to agree to something and it’s a lot more likely that they will take further action in the future.

Best Friends is also giving the power to the people by allowing pet owners and potential allies post to their Dog Wall from Facebook or text. Users also have the option to create events with Meetup in order to spread the word about the greatness of adopting a dog instead of buying one from a breeder.

Has this program inspired you to adopt a shelter dog? What other ways can social media change the world?